A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

"Never before have men had so many time-saving devices. Yet, never before have they had so little free time. When the world unnecessarily accelerates, the Church must slow down."
— Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

OPE FRANCIS appears to be less interested in Liturgy than his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Some are asking, “What will become of the Liturgical movement called for by Pope Benedict and popes before him?” While I have no inside information, I can say that at this time I see no cause for alarm. First of all, the strength of the Liturgical movement relies on objective truth. It does not rely on the current Pope. It must be judged by its merits. It must continue to build upon truth, not decrees. After all, there have been many times in the history of the Church when a bad Pope was reigning (and note carefully I am not for one second implying Pope Francis will be a bad Pope). However, during these times, good priests and Bishops simply continued to do the Lord’s work. They did not all of a sudden start wrecking the Liturgy on the local level. The local level is what’s important. Each individual’s relationship with Jesus Christ is what’s most important. The example to follow is Dr. Theodore Marier, who continued to build a wonderful Church music program in spite of all kinds of difficulties from the hierarchy.

Furthermore, the wonderful documents of Pope Benedict XVI will not cease to exist because he is no longer Pope. Are they true? If they are, their truth will continue to endure and inspire.

Finally, because of Pope Benedict XVI’s Papacy, what he wrote, and what he did, it is no longer possible for anyone to say that the Second Vatican Council outlawed reverent Liturgy. Thanks to the Pontificate of Benedict XVI, it is perfectly clear that Vatican II encouraged Latin, choirs, dignified music, ad orientem, beautiful vestments, and so forth.

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling
the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative
media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.